Call me clueless, but I only recently found out that you can actually find out which vitamins and minerals your body is lacking by having blood tests done. A healthcare provider ordered a comprehensive set of labs for me, and I discovered that I was severely deficient in several vitamins and micronutrients, including Vitamin B, Vitamin D, and Omega 3s. Yikes! You can bet I purchased high-quality supplements to take, as well as adjusted my diet to try to get as many of those nutrients as I can through food. Now that I’m (slowly) approaching my ‘30s, I’m seeing that taking my health seriously is important. And not only for me, but also for all the beings who live in my home, human or canine!
Believe it or not, that coil of goo in the West Paw Toppl is a multivitamin for dogs. Stay tuned to find out which one I chose for Eira!
As a detailed, in-depth Harvard Health article puts it, “Vitamins and minerals are considered essential nutrients—because acting in concert, they perform hundreds of roles in the body. They help shore up bones, heal wounds, and bolster your immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage.” While this article specifically addresses vitamin and mineral needs in humans, dogs need these essential nutrients as much as humans do: B vitamins regulate hormones and metabolism, among many other things; Vitamin A is integral to good eyesight; Vitamin C helps your dog fight illness. And these are just three of the many vital micronutrients your dog needs for a healthy, happy life.
And while your dog does receive most necessary vitamins from a quality store-bought food, not all dogs eat dry kibble. Some eat special diets that assist with specific health problems, while others eat homemade food only, or a mixture of homemade and store-bought. My dog, Eira, eats dry kibble. But she plays hard, exercises hard, and grows extremely fast. So I decided to find her a multivitamin to give her after breakfast. (Make sure you NEVER feed your dog human vitamins of any kind, and consult with your doctor before starting even a canine-specific multivitamin!)
Let’s take a look at which multivitamins are best for big dogs who grow fast, run fast, and need nutrients — fast.
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Zesty Paws Multivitamin for Dogs
In the months before I got my bloodwork done, I noticed that my hair seemed brittle and my nails flaked too easily. It wasn’t that much of a surprise, then, that I lacked omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids. Because human and canine bodies alike are unable to produce their own Omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids, it’s important to eat a diet rich in them and supplement as well.
My health provider recommended I take cod liver oil to remedy my omega deficiencies. Internally, I gagged when she said this. As a lifelong vegetarian, the thought of drinking fish oil grossed me out. I’d taken fish oil pills before and been repulsed by their fishy taste; wouldn’t taking cod liver oil be a whole lot worse?
It wasn’t. Why? Because I purchased a high-quality cod liver oil that literally tastes nothing like cod livers or anything fishy. The only thing that bothers me is the slimy texture, which is why I mix the oil into juice or a healthy smoothie before chugging it down.
I’ve already noticed a difference in my nail strength and skin health. I wish I had thought to give my German shepherd, Bella, cod liver oil when she had skin problems! But she might not have liked the texture. Eira wouldn’t, either — and the last thing you want to do is pour oil over your dog’s food and then have them ditch the whole bowl in disgust.
That’s why this multivitamin from Zesty Paws is so amazing: not only does it contain a host of essential vitamins for your dog, but it also contains cod liver oil! You know how obesity is a problem in so many dogs today? Well, did you know that cod liver oil and other fish oils can also help your dog lose weight? Again, please do not give your dog cod liver oil or fish oil meant for humans. Instead, stick to a multivitamin like this one that contains cod liver oil and all the accompanying benefits in a dog-appropriate dosage.
These Zesty Paws multivitamins also contain MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, as well as glucosamine and chondroitin, all of which support hip and joint health. This is especially important for larger dogs and breeds (like German shepherds) who are genetically disposed to hip issues.
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PetHonesty 10-For-1 Multivitamin with Glucosamine
Like the Zesty Paws vitamin, this multivitamin from PetHonesty contains glucosamine, chondroitin, and fish oil (though not cod liver oil, specifically — this vitamin uses krill oil instead). But what I love about this multivitamin is its focus on probiotics. Probiotics are especially popular in today’s health world: stores now regularly sell kefir and kombucha and other foods that introduce healthy bacteria into the body. That’s what probiotics are: healthy bacteria and yeast that keep the intestines functioning smoothly.
If your dog is having digestive tract issues, such as constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting, probiotics can help balance the gut bacteria and decrease unpleasant and uncomfortable digestive symptoms, as well as boost immunity. If your dog has recently had to take antibiotics, which work by killing bacteria that are making your dog ill — and killing good bacteria that supports your dog’s overall health — giving her a multivitamin with probiotics like this one can restore the healthy bacteria balance she needs.
The heart-shaped treats are sure to charm you, while the chicken flavor with taste like a treat to your dog.
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Well & Good Dog Multivitamin Paste
Somehow, Eira knows when something isn’t much of a treat and is a vitamin instead. That’s why I love the multivitamin paste from Well & Good: it contains minerals, essential vitamins, fiber, protein, omegas, and more — and it’s irresistible in paste form. Just watch Eira slurp hers up!
Eira, excited about her Well & Good Multivitamin Paste.
Like the other good multivitamins for big dogs, this paste contains those essential omegas. In the form of cod liver oil, no less! I was worried Eira wouldn’t like it, but they must flavor it with something meaty and good. (Strangely enough, the packaging doesn’t say what the flavor is.) The ingredients are listed are broken down in an easy-to-read chart on the back of the bottle, along with clear instructions: give a 3.25-inch ribbon of paste to a dog for every 10 pounds. Now, giving a dog too many vitamins can be detrimental to their health. So I did not follow the advice for this — I gave Eira about half the dosage suggested, and I know it’ll be enough to boost her health alongside the vitamins and minerals she already receives in her dry kibble.
The back label of Eira’s multivitamin.
To feed Eira the paste, I put it in her West Paw Toppl toy. I also like to stick some in her Kong, mixed with her beloved peanut butter paste. The longer I keep it exciting, the longer she’ll remain unaware of how boringly nutritious the paste is!
The best multivitamin paste ever.
If your dog doesn’t like the dry biscuit vitamins or even the moist ones, try this paste. There’s something about the consistency that Eira really loves, and she’s the type of dog who usually ignores dry biscuit-type treats.
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Hemp & Hips Senior Large Breed Multivitamin
While the aforementioned vitamins work well for dogs of all ages, this multivitamin is specially crafted for senior large-breed dogs. It contains hemp and helps older, larger dogs’ hips, hence its catchy name.
Did you know that hemp oil is a magnificent source of omega fatty acids? Its anti-inflammatory properties also help dogs with joint problems to move easier in their advanced age. In addition, this multivitamin contains MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin, along with spirulina and Devil’s Claw root extract. Devil’s Claw root extract contains harpagoside, an ingredient with pain-relieving and anti-inflammation properties. Spirulina, a microscopic algae, is a nutrient-dense plant that’s also considered a superfood for dogs, aiding in digestion, allergies, inflammation, and more.
This multivitamin is the perfect blend vitamins to help your dog live comfortably with — or avoid developing — arthritis, hip dysplasia, and joint inflammation.
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MightyBites Liquid Multivitamin for Dogs
Does your dog hate paste AND chew AND biscuit vitamins? Don’t fret, because this liquid vitamin tastes like juicy beef goodness and your dog is practically guaranteed to adore it. Mix it into a wet can of food or pour it over kibble and watch your dog delight in his multivitamin. It is one of the most complete multivitamins out there, containing 50 vitamins and minerals, along with natural, nutrient-dense ingredients like seaweed, broccoli powder, pumpkin seed, aloe vera, and more.
Pretty impressive, isn’t it? According to the manufacturers, your dog will start acting like a sprightly puppy again when she starts taking it!
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Superfood Chewable Treats for Dogs
If you’d rather not add more vitamins to your dog’s diet, but you still want the benefits that a supplement can provide, then try these Superfood Chewable Treats from Zesty Paws. They contain spirulina, pumpkin, coconut milk and oil, carrot, blueberry, sweet potato, kale, chia and flax seeds, and kelp, all of which together can provide your dog with impressive health benefits: improved heart and liver health, reduced inflammation, and more. This treat is the perfect alternative to a full-on multivitamin. I love that these are plant-derived, and I’m ordering a bottle for Eira to take once her multivitamin runs out! (I don’t want to overdo the vitamins!)
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Conclusion
Now you know about the best multivitamin choices for big dogs. Remember to talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog any supplements — it’s convenient if your vet is a mobile/traveling vet, like mine, who lets you text for a quick consultation. But not everyone has that, and a simple phone call should get you enough information to make an informed decision about which multivitamin choice is right for your pet.
Laura Ojeda Melchor grew up with two beloved German shepherd dogs—Clancy and her daughter, Bella. From the time her family brought Clancy home, Laura took on the duty of pooper-scooper and potty trainer. As a teenager Laura helped her mother care for Clancy during her pregnancy. She still remembers fondly the exciting, frigid winter night when the seven special puppies were born. Laura kept the youngest puppy—Bella—and potty trained her, too. She taught Bella important commands, took her for long walks, and spent hours throwing tennis balls for her.
In November, Laura brought home a sweet new puppy, Eira Violet. Eira is half Alaskan malamute and half German shepherd, and Laura loves her deeply. She chose not to use a crate to potty train Eira and was pleasantly surprised at the results. She now has a sweet, energetic dog who always uses the potty outside, plays well with Laura’s toddler, and enjoys long family walks in beautiful Alaska. If you were to meet Eira, she’d bound up to you with a wagging tail and get you running around the yard with her in no time.